COURSE OBJECTIVES:  Students will acquire and demonstrate knowledge of the concepts, definitions and properties constituting the TUSD Mathematics Core Curriculum as well as develop the computational skills and strategies required to meet the Arizona Department of Education Mathematics Standards.   Students will develop critical thinking and decision-making skills by connecting concepts to practical applications needed to be productive members of society.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  The curriculum for algebra include equations and inequalities, linear relations and inequalities, matrices, polynomials, irrational and complex numbers, quadratic equations, quadratic relations and functions, conic sections, polynomial functions, rational polynomial expressions, exponential and logarithmic functions, sequences and series, statistics, probability, and trigonometric functions.  The role of the scientific calculator as a problem solving tool is stressed and integrated in lessons and exercises throughout the course while the graphing calculator and computer graphing software are utilized in various lessons.

After completing a four year pilot program where 100 percent of the 11th and 12th grade (83 percent of 10th grade) students successfully passed the AIMS math graduation test. I now include as part of my curriculum the utilization of the latest web based software designed to help students master state math standards. For more information on the results of this pilot program click on "Santa Rita High School Pilot Program".

Why the pilot program worked: After many years of teaching using latest educational technology and conducting extensive research, my research and personal experience has shown that students retain a higher percent of the information presented if they use the most up-to-date educational technology. One exciting new program is Study Island and it helps students learn in by using the following:.

• Web-based - Because Study Island is completely Web based, students can use it at school or home and can study and learn at their own pace. There is no software to download or install; all you need is an Internet connection.

• Dynamic Content - Not only are there several thousand questions in the Study Island program, but each question is also constantly changing. The answers to the multiple choice questions are continuously changing position, and the numbers in the math questions are randomly chosen. This causes the students to learn the concepts, not just memorize the answers.

• Skills Specific - Study Island's lessons and practice tests are based solely on the Arizona Content Standards and are specifically designed to prepare students for the AIMS. Study Island covers each and every standard that will be tested on the AIMS.

• Better Than Workbooks - Study Island offers all the benefits of workbook based programs in addition to the tremendous benefits that can only be provided by a Web based program. Unlike workbooks, Study Island enables students to interact with thousands of questions, then automatically and instantly grades and records all student work. In addition, users are able to print custom workbooks.

• Question Style Similar To The AIMS - The question style on Study Island is similar to the style on the actual AIMS. This allows students to get comfortable with the testing style; therefore, test-taking mistakes will be reduced and scores will improve.

• Self-paced - Every student learns at a different pace. Study Island allows the student to learn at their own pace.

• Multiple Study Modes - In addition to allowing students to learn at their own pace, Study Island lets students choose their style of learning. Students can choose between a standard test format and several interactive games for their study sessions.

• Real-time Reporting - Study Island records statistics for each user session in a real time report card. Teachers have access to a private page where they can view usage statistics and results for each student and the school as a whole. Real-time reports (including graphs) help teachers measure progress and identify deficiencies as they relate to the specific standard. Teachers and administrators can use these statistics to see how their students compare to other students in Arizona.

GRADING POLICY: Semester grades are and will be based only on demonstrated mastery of concepts and development of skills.  Updated grade reports will be posted in the classroom and on the Internet on a bi-weekly basis so students and parents may continually monitor academic progress. Grades will be mailed to parents every four and one half weeks.  Student performance will be assessed in three areas: homework, in class assignments, and tests. Each of these areas will be weighted and used to determine letter grades as follows: